The Intrinsic Value of Gardening

Gardening is a wonderful way to ground ourselves, to slow down and pull out of the fast-paced world we live in. So much of the world is focused on instant impact, instant gratification, that to have to wait for something to grow and ripen is a nice way to change focus. It’s especially appropriate for children to see a different method of producing a result than swiping a debit card or clicking a mouse. Sure, the work is hard, but how good it feels to come in muddy and sunburned with a basket of sweet red peppers and Brandywine tomatoes that you grew yourself. Planting a beautiful garden can be a great way to relive stress! (Kate Jerome, Nat’l Gardening Assoc.)

Gardening For Stress Relief
Whether you have a small patio to decorate, or a vast amount of space to tend, the act of making your particular stretch of nature into a haven can be a stress reliever in itself, and the garden that you create can bring you even more peace. Here’s why: Sunlight: Just getting out in the sunlight can actually improve your mood! (In fact, there’s a condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder that affects some people during Winter months when there is less sunlight.) Sunlight also provides an influx of vitamin D, and the fresh air that goes with it is good for your health. Getting outdoors to work with your garden is a great excuse to get more of this good stuff. Getting In Touch With Nature: Being in touch with nature and the great outdoors can help you feel more removed from the stressors of daily life. With the amount of time we spend indoors (at work, watching t.v., etc) many people feel an urge to connect with nature that goes unfulfilled. While you may not have the time to go camping or take a nature hike each day, having your piece of nature right outside your back door can help you feel some of this connection. Creating Beauty: The beauty of nature is a great stress reliever in itself. (Just think of how many times relaxation has been connected with pictures of stunning landscapes or recordings of nature’s sounds.) Having your own bit of beauty available as a place for meditation, contemplation and relaxation can provide quite a bit of relief from stress. It’s all part of making your home a haven from stress. (Gardening for Stress Relief How and Why Gardening is a Natural Stress Reliever. By Elizabeth Scott, M.S., About.com. November 7, 2007)